Two Hawks receive All-American honors

Quincy University senior defender Allison Birke, left, keeps the ball from Rockhurst’s Cathy Rometti during a game in September at Legends Stadium. Birke, who helped QU go 17-4-1, was named a first-team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches. | H-W Photo/Jake Shane

"That's my favorite phone call as a coach, those two calls I got to make," Musso said. "To tell them they forever will be All-Americans, that's my favorite call to make."

Birke, who transferred to Quincy as a sophomore and became a three-year starter, anchored one of the best defenses in program history.

The Hawks went 17-4-1 and reached the Midwest Region championship game, setting a school record with seven consecutive shutouts during an 11-game unbeaten streak. They finished with 13 shutouts, the fourth most in a single season.

Birke finished with two assists and played all but six minutes the entire season.

"She's about as steady a center back as there can be," Musso said. "I knew every day what I was going to get out of her."

The veteran coach came to expect the same thing from Rief.

Returning from a broken collarbone suffered during her junior season, Rief became a lethal scorer, finishing with 10 goals, three assists and eight game-winning goals. She tied for fourth nationally in game-winning goals.

"When you take a step back because of that injury and assess things, it really motivates you," Musso said. "She played with a purpose."

The reaction Musso got when he made the phone calls was priceless.

"There were 10 out of 10 happy," he said.

Birke and Rief became eligible for All-America consideration by being named first-team All-Midwest Region. They were among four Hawks to receive all-region honors.

Joining Birke and Rief on the first-team all-region were senior midfielder Katie Heiligenstein and senior defender Natalie Quisenberry. Heiligenstein had five goals and three game-winning goals, while Quisenberry had two goals and two assists and played a wing defensively.